The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-11-17

Atmosphere whore Dho W. forced 70 exist.
The boy hAd inherited her tempefsmsut
and found the common drudgsly Of the
farm entirely rspulsive, while kief6ther en-
deavored 70 crush every aspiration within
him, save that Of occupying HE place,
whom he should be gone. His mother
recognized his talent, and used every
means TO foster and educate Il, but when
her efforts were at last discovered BY the
stern father, terrible scene ensued. and
that night, with his mothers knowledge
and for . long time subsisted ~ best he
could. Finally he succeeded in opening
portrait. painters studio, and bis first
picture, gratuitous one Of child, won
Tor him an immediate patronage.
Among others who came for portraits
was . lovely young girl Of Spanish
type Of beauty, the only daughter Of
wealthy and sristocratic parents. He
loved her almost at first sight, and In
the unrestrained intercourse permitted
through her daily sittings, he at last won
from her the precious assurance that she
also loved him. Their troth was plighted
and for . time they were very happy.
But when the father was consulted he
dew into furious rage, and told the
young man scornfully that his views for
his daughter were far different from
those proposed, and through himself she
had long been promised to q man Of
wealth and family, who hoped soon to
claim her for his bride. In addition, he
forbade the young artist the house. For
q time the two met clandestinely, but
they were watched, and further meetings
debarred. An occasional stolen note
soon became the only means OF commu-
nication between them.
II pleaded with her forcibly in my last
note," said Major Randall, ITO meet me
at o certain point in the park, from
whence we would 60 direct to minis
ter and be married; the only reply was
the return Of the bracelet and ring,
which had served as our gages glamour,
and cruel note from the father stating
that his daughter would be married that
evening, and that she Joined him in hop
ing that all further prosecutions from
me might cease.
"The note was not handed me until
nightfall, and when I had read 1t be-
came for the time madman. raved,
swore, vowed she should be mine II !
tore her from the very arms of her lover.
But It was too late, for only reached
the residence in time to see her and the
man she had married enter the carriage
which was to bear them to the depot.
"Jacintha caught sight Of me standing
helpless and haggard on the pavement,
and shall never forget the agonized
expression which came into her eyes as
she wildly called my name. With my
hand upon my revolver started in hot
pursuit, but / fell unconscious before
three squares were passed.
"Two months later was slowly return
ing to life from . severe attack of brain
fever. Jacintha and her husband were
abroad. My mother was with me, and
when five months later there came the
terrible news of my darling's death, twas
she who broke the sad intelligence to me.
"They killed her." he cried fiercely I;
"they murdered her just so surely as If Q
dagger had been thrust to her heart, and
now I hope that remorse rends their
heartstrings as ceaselessly as wild regret
does at mine. Six months ago my pre-
ciOus mother also left me, and now am
quite alone. crave of fate but one sole
boon, and that is to soon fall fighting for
my country"
In q few days after relating to mother
and child this mournful history, Major
Randall, with a large body Of troops,
was ordered hastily away. We bade
him sad and fearful adieu, grieving, as
did the friends Of St. Paul, that We
should never see his face again.
At night when the piano was opened
there lay within It linked bracelet of
beautiful workmanship, and a golden
band, thickly studded with rubies; the one
was marked for the mother; the other for
the child, and they are tenderly priced
to-day as souvenirs, both of the poor
crushed heart, which found some solace
in our friendship and love, and also of
the fair stranger girl, who had worn
proudly these emblems Of her plighted
word.
In the fall Johnston's army moved
eastward, and the piano was more priced
than ever in the now quiet little town.
But in the spring rumors reached us Of
Sherman's approach with large army.
Means of escape from the village were
limited, and there were many families
who failed to get away. Ours was among
that unfortunate number. The piano
had been boxed for transportation to Al
ALBANIA, but no opportunity had offered,
90 twas put upon the floor In the front
room, Q feather bed and bed clothing
placed upon 1t for disguise, and made
to serve the purpose of bed.
After the arrival of the enemy, their
soldiery passed constantly back and forth
through the house in search Of hidden
treasure, but no one for long time sus-
pected the nature Of the impromptu bed.
One day, however, Q great, brswny fell
low, carrying an Ak, electrified us by
calling out to his companion: "Hello.
Bill here's your piano; we'll just take .
| dig into 1t with this AK" but owing to its
charmed existence 1t was not destined
thus to perish, 40 had so many Of its kind,
for an officer needed the men and called
them hastily away.
And when ON the last day Of Sherman's
stay the little house was left in flames,
and q kind Northern officer, at my
mothers appeal, came with band Of
men to thwart as far a. possible the
cruel work of his predecessor, the piano
was the frat object borne from the room.
Homeless, moneyless (for greenbacks
had now become currency and entirely
without food, my mother felt, as she sat
upon its lid with her little ones about
her, a strange sense of comfort that 1t at
least had been spared her. A. she rose
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